Gage for determining loose and tight packing of heat absorbing plates



Sept. 6, 1955 ROSENBERG 2,716,884

GAGE FOR DETERMINING LOOSE AND TIGHT PACKING OF HEAT ABSORBING PLATES Filed Nov. 1953 INVENTOR.

Geo/ye Zosenegy BY ATTORNEY United States Patent GAGE FOR DETERMINING LOOSE AND TIGHT PACKING OF HEAT ABSORBING PLATES George E. Rosenberg, Wellsville, N. Y., assignor to The; Air Preheater Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 6, 1953, Serial N 0. 390,653 Claims. (Cl. 73-12) This invention relates to an apparatus for determining the relative spacing between adjacent plates, or the degree of tightness with which plate like elements have been packed into a container or other confined space. It is particularly adapted to testing the relative tightness with which heat exchanger plates have been packed into a series of individual baskets or frames that comprise the heat exchange rotor of a rotary regenerative type air preheater.

ln assembling a rotary regenerative air preheater, it is especially desirable to pack the heat absorbing elements uniformly into baskets or frames which collectively comprise the rotor so that all such baskets are similar in content or heat absorbing capacity. Furthermore, it has been determined that sheets of heat absorbing elements which are uniformly packed into baskets neither too loosely nor too tightly are subject to a natural vibration or oscillation which is eflicacious in preventing the collection of fly ash and other products of combustion on the surfaces of the elements and between the latter.

The principle object of this invention therefore is to provide a gaging means which indicates the proper packing density of heat exchanger plates packed in a basket or other confined space so these desirable results may be achieved.

In accordance with the present invention, a wedge having a graduated scale inscribed on one face thereof is placed in contact with a basket of elements so the pointed edge thereof lies parallel to and between two adjoining plates in the basket. A tubular housing loosely confining the wedge, but holding it in an upright position between plates, is then placed over the wedge after which a weight is lowered into the tubular housing and dropped from a predetermined height. The weight is allowed to fall freely until it strikes the wedge which is driven thereby between adjoining plates a distance commensurate with the relative tightness with which the plates have been packed together.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a box-like structure forming a housing for the tightness gage positioned on the end edges of a series of plate form heat absorbing elements.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a scaled wedge adapted to fit into the box-like housing.

Figure 3 shows a weight or driver sized to fit in the box-like housing against the wedge of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation showing the gage in use.

In the drawings, the numeral refers to a box-like structure open at both ends 12 and 14 to form a tubular housing joined at one extremity thereof to a flat plate 16 with a centrally positioned opening 17 which coincides with the opening through housing 10. A side of housing 10 adjoining the plate 16 is ported at 18 to provide a permanent viewing slot.

The wedge 20 of Figure 2 is formed so the cross sectional area at its base or wide end 22 is slightly less than the cross sectional area of housing 10 to permit free and unencumbered movement of the wedge throughout the length of the tubular housing. The wedge 20 is preferably formed from hardened material such as steel and has a graduated scale of index numbers 27 stamped on at least one side thereof.

2,716,884 Patented Sept. 6, 1955 The weight 26 of Figure 3 has a cross sectional conformation similar to the top end 22 of the wedge whereby it may fall freely through the housing as when, for example, it is released from an elevated position. The mass of weight 26 may be varied, although for a majority of tests it has been determined that a two pound weight most nearly satisfies all requirements.

In operation, the pointed portion 25 of the wedge is positioned between a pair of adjoining plates 30, 31 within a bundle of plates to be tested. The housing 10 is in turn positioned over the wedge and lowered until the plate portion 16 rests upon the end edges of the plates 30, 31 lying in a basket as shown in Figure 4. Weight 26 is then lowered into the housing and dropped from a predetermined height so as to fall directly upon the wide end 22 of wedge 20 thereby causing it to be driven downward between the loose plates 30, 31. The distance the wedge is driven between the plates gives a direct indication of the packing density of the plates and by referring to the position of the index numbers 27 on the wedge 20 as they may be viewed through opening 18 in the housing, it may be determined to what extent the wedge has been driven between the plates. After making a series of such tests a reading representing the average desirable packing density may be determined and used as a reference figure in determining the desired packing density of subsequently tested bundles of plates.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for determining the relative packing density of plates in a container comprising; a wedge to be driven between parallel plates; a housing loosely supporting said wedge in an upright position with the apex thereof pointing downwardly, and a driving means for subjecting said wedge to a predetermined force whereby said wedge is driven between plates a distance proportional to the packing density of the plates.

2. A device for testing the relative tightness of parallel plates in a container comprising; a wedge having a graduate scale inscribed on one side thereof; a housing loosely supporting the wedge in an upright position when the apex of said wedge is inserted between adjacent plates; and a driving means for subjecting the wedge to a predetermined force whereby said wedge is driven between plates a distance proportional to the packing density of the plates.

3. A device for determining the relative packing density of parallel plates in a container comprising; a wedge having a graduate scale inscribed on one side thereof disposed to be forced between parallel plates; a box-like housing member loosely supporting said wedge in an upright position with its apex pointing downwardly; and a weight adapted to be dropped through said housing onto the Wedge whereby said wedge is driven between the parallel plates a distance commensurate with the packing density thereof.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein one side of said housing member is ported to permit visual examination of the scale inscribed on said wedge.

S. A device as defined in claim 3 including a member affixed to one end of said housing and lying in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of said housing, whereby when said member is placed on a bundle of plates to be tested said housing is held substantially parallel to said plates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 450,065 Fontaine Apr. 7, 1891 987,703 Curtin Mar. 28, 1911 1,773,802 Ballentine Aug. 26, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS 727,342 France Mar. 22, 1932 

